Institute of Engineering: Fingerprint Voting System Research Proposal

This document is an initial research proposal for a fingerprint voting system utilizing ARM7 technology, submitted to the Institute Research Sub-Committee. The proposal, for a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics Engineering student at Level 6, outlines the motivation to enhance the security and confidentiality of manual voting systems by incorporating fingerprint verification. The proposed system involves fingerprint collection for voter registration and authentication during voting, aiming to eliminate fraudulent voting and secure data using a dedicated memory card. The proposal includes a literature review citing research supporting the use of fingerprint-based voting machines, and discusses the significance of the study in addressing problems associated with manual voting, such as data manipulation and human error. The research questions focus on the problems faced in manual voting and how a fingerprint-based system can mitigate them. Ethical considerations are addressed, ensuring data privacy and participant rights. The proposal also includes a project plan and a list of key references.

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INITIAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM
(also referred to as ‘Statement of Intent Form’)
To be submitted by the researcher to the Institute Research Sub-Committee (IRC)
Research Title:
Fingerprint Voting system using ARM7
Institute name
Institute of engineering and transport
Course / Programme:
Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics Engineering
Level and year of study
Level 6
Main area of study being proposed:
A research idea has been proposed in order to increase the security and the confidentiality of manual
voting system. The main idea behind the proposed topic is to make use of fingerprint of the voters. The
entire system will involve collection of fingerprints of the voters who are allowed to vote for registration and
the actual voting. The actual voting will involve proving the fingerprint to vote. This will eliminate the risk of
fraud voting and will preserve the data confidentiality as well. A dedicated memory card can be used to
store that data of the voting so that the security and confidentiality of the data is maintained.
Name of Researcher: Researcher’s I.D. Number:
Signature of Researcher Date of submission of Form
Name of Tutor (or Recommended Tutor):
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Personal Motivation for the Choice of Research Theme.
While selecting an idea of the project, I tried to focus on a particular aspect that would be helpful for my
country. I have observed that there are a number of problems that are faced during elections that
predominantly make use of pen and paper to vote. This can lead to generation of fake voting data. This is
one of the main reasons or motivation behind the selection of this research topic and it aims in solving the
problems related to manual voting.
Outline of Key Literature and Theoretical Framework or Propositions.
According to Fatima [1], fingerprint based voting machine can significantly reduce the chances of data
manipulation and loss of data during voting. A fingerprint based voting system using ARM7 can
considerably help in reducing the chances of multiple votes. This is particularly because the fingerprint of
each and every voter will be registered. A particular voter will be allowed to vote only once. With the help
of ARM7 based system the chances of duplicate voting will be reduced as if a person tries to vote more
than once, an alert will warn the entire team. The proposed system can possibly remove the need of
manual voting machines. An ARM7 based voting system involves a fingerprint module, GSM, switch, a
LCD, buzzer an IOT. The ARM7 voting system further has the capability of identifying the fake voters,
thereby eliminating the changes dishonest voting. The security of the voting process will be maintained
particularly because it will ensure that no voters are allowed to cast their votes twice.
According to Anandaraj, Anish and Devakumar [2], secured electronic voting is essential as in democratic
societies, voting can be considered as an important tool for collection of data related to an individual’s
thinking. In manual voting system, a ballot device is particularly used for casting votes in an election.
Paper ballots are extremely unsecure and therefore, it is essential to identify an approach that can
increase the security of the voting system. The use of electronic voting system can significantly help in
increasing the reliability, scalability and flexibility of the voting process. The use of biometric voting
system is an example of hi-tech simplicity. The use of biometric fingerprint based voting system can help
in automatic counting and increasing the efficiency of the entire voting system.
Sudhakar and Divya Soundarya Sai [3], state that the biometrics can form a basis of a secure voting
system. Biometrics can in accurate recognition of a person on basis of the physical and behavioural
characteristics of a person. Since biometrics can be effectively used to identify different people, it can
help the voters to engage in a fair voting system. The finger-print based system can form a secure voting
system and has the power to stop duplicate voting. Straightforward matching of the fingerprint system can
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help in effective capturing of the vote and will further help in automating the entire process.
Thus, the choice of the research topic is justified. It is possible to integrate the manual voting system with
fingerprint voting. This will ensure the security of the entire voting system and confidentiality of the voting
data.
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Significance of the Study.
This research study is justified as it aims in solving one of the major problems related to voting. The
manual voting system that make use of paper is not only a time consuming task but also, is prone to
human errors. It is therefore important to identify an effective alternative to the manual voting system that
can possibly eliminate the risk of data manipulation and loss of data integrity in the manual voting system.
The proposed research project is important for the engineering community as well mainly because the
research is based on making use of a technology to eliminate a particular issue.
Hypotheses and/or Research Question/s
The research questions identified are as follows-
1. What are the major problems faced in manual voting?
2. How can the problem be managed with fingerprint based voting system?
Target Participants and Research Methods for Data Collection and Analysis
N/A
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Ethical Considerations.
Refer to guidance points below. You are also additionally required to read MCAST Document 074
‘Research Ethics Policy and Procedure’ that is available on the College website via link
http://www.mcast.edu.mt/MainMenu/Full-TimeCourses/Rules,PoliciesandRegulations.aspx
1. Research shall be conducted in such a manner so as to avoid any psychological and physical
harm to humans and animals and financial damage to organizations
2. Only the supervisor and examiners will have access to any data gathered.
3. Participants will remain free to withdraw from the study at any time without having to provide
any reason. In the case of withdrawal, all the records and information collection will be
deleted.
4. The participant, who is the sole proprietor of the data provided, is granting that such data
would be processed for this study purposes only.
5. The data collection process will be a transparent process.
6. All transcriptions and/or electronic recordings reflecting the data collected, once exhausted,
are to be deleted
7. Confidentiality, anonymity and data protection procedures are to be ethically abided by.
8. The researcher would provide a soft copy of the study to the participant, if required.
Enter details here regarding possibility of issues regarding confidential personal data:
N/A
Enter details here regarding possibility of physical harm:
N/A
Enter details here regarding possibility of moral harm:
N/A
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Enter details here regarding possibility of business harm:
N/A
Anticipated Contributions of the Study.
What to do more than what is found in the research…… I will do it myself
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Dissertation Project Plan.
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List of Key References:
[1]. T. Fatima, "Fingerprint Based Voting Machine using ARM7", International Journal for Research in
Applied Science and Engineering Technology, vol. 6, no. 7, pp. 305-309, 2018. Available:
10.22214/ijraset.2018.7041.
[2]. S. Anandaraj, R. Anish, and P. V. Devakumar. "Secured electronic voting machine using biometric."
In 2015 International Conference on Innovations in Information, Embedded and Communication Systems
(ICIIECS), pp. 1-5. IEEE, 2015.
[3]. M. Sudhakar, and B. Divya Soundarya Sai. "Biometric System Based Electronic Voting Machine Using
Arm9 Microcontroller." IOSR Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering (IOSR-JECE) 10, no.
1 (2015): 57-65.
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This section is to be filled in by the representative of the Institute Research Sub-Committee prior
to forwarding of this Form to the ‘MCAST Research Ethics Committee’ for final ethics approval:
Nature of ethical
consideration
Outcome (*) Comments
Consideration of possibility of
issues regarding confidential
personal data:
Consideration of possibility of
physical harm
Consideration of possibility of
moral harm
Consideration of possibility of
business harm
(*) Legend to record outcome by Institute Research Sub Committee:
A – Ethical considerations have been addressed appropriately by Researcher;
B – No (Nil) relevant ethical considerations are applicable under purpose of study as described by
Researcher.
C – Ethical consideration have not been addressed appropriately by Researcher;
D – Applicable ethical consideration have not been considered by Researcher.
Details of Representative to the ‘Institute Research Sub-Committee.
Name Signature
Designation Date
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